A Detection Scheme for Dependent Noise Processes

In this paper the problem of memoryless discrete time detection of a constant signal in additive φ-mixing noise is considered. The fidelity criterion is taken to be the asymptotic relative efficiency. The optimal detector nonlinearity is approximated by a polynomial, and the statistical knowledge required for the design of the detector is the family of joint moments of the noise, resulting in a very simple design procedure for the detector. It is shown that the performance of this detector can be made arbitrarily close to that of the optimal memoryless detector for a large class of noises.     

Das Pädagogische Konzept Maria Montessoris: Die Permanente Diskussion

This article emphasises the internal consistency of Maria Montessori's work by identifying her main educational ideas and clarifying the interrelationships between the individual experimental schools and her writings. An elucidation of the vital part played by the anthropological basis of Maria Montessori's work shows that her entire efforts were directed towards illuminating childhood as the foundation of human development. Within this framework her relationship to Rousseau on the one hand, and to educational reform trends on the other is brought out. It is in this connection that her relations with the World Education Fellowship in general and with Decroly in particular find their significance.     

Essential gyrators and reciprocity in junction structures

This paper proposes an extended definition of reciprocity for a multiport junction structure based on the concept of essential gyrator coupling. Two theorems are given for junction structures containing gyrators and an algorithm is presented for identifying essential gyrators. The results are useful both theoretically and for designing efficient computation procedures for junction structures.     

The graph-theoretic field model—I. Modelling and formulations

The Graph-Theoretical Field Model provides a unifying approach for developing numerical models of field and continuum problems. The methodology examines the field problem from the first stages of conceptualization without recourse to the governing differential equations of the field problem; this is accomplished by deriving discrete statements of the physical laws which govern the field behaviour. There are generally three laws, and these are modelled by the “cutset equations”, the “circuit equations”, and the “terminal equations”. In order to establish these three sets of equations it is expedient first to spatially discretize the field in a manner similar to the finite difference method and then to associate a linear graph (denoted as the field graph) with the spatial discretization. The concept of “through” and “across” variables, which underlies the cutset and circuit equations respectively, enables one to define the graph in an unambiguous manner such that each “edge” of the graph identifies a pair of complementary variables. From a knowledge of the constitutive properties and the boundary conditions of the field it is possible to associate terminal equations with sets of edges. Since the resulting sets of equations represent the field equations, these equations provide the basis for a complete (but approximate) solution to the field or continuum problem. In fact, this system approach uses a two part model: one for the components and another for the interconnection pattern of the components which renders the formulation procedures totally independent of the solution procedure.This paper presents the theoretical basis of the model and several graph-theoretic formulations for steady-state problems. Examples from heat conduction and small- deformation elasticity are included.     

Radial localization of odors by human newborns.

To study sensitivity to radial location of an odor source, 20 human newborns, ranging from 16 to 130 hours of age, were presented with a small amount of ammonium hydroxide. The odor source was placed near the nose slightly to the left or right of midline, with its position randomized over repeated trails. Direction of headturn with respect to the odor location and diffuse motor activity were scored from the videotape recordings of the newborns' behavior. It was found that as a group, the newborns turned away from the odor source more frequently than they turned toward it. The tendency to turn away from the odor was stronger in infants who displayed less motor activity after the response. Newborns also exhibited a right bias in the direction of the head movements. It is concluded that a spatially appropriate avoidance response is present in the neonate and that the newborn is innately sensitive to the radial location of an odor.